The Tripods

The Tripods was a science fiction adventure based on John Christopher's award-winning Tripods Trilogy. This futuristic story is set in a world where mankind is enslaved by alien rulers - the Tripods. The Tripods keep humanity under their control with the aid of "Caps". The Cap is a mind-control device which makes people obedient to the Tripods. Capping is a mandatory ceremony which everyone must undergo when they reach the age of 16.

Will Parker and his cousin Henry are due to be Capped themselves. They run away from home to make a dangerous journey to the distant White Mountains, where a group of un-Capped rebels plot the overthrow of the Tripods.

This story is about a fight for freedom. The people who aren't Capped are up against overwhelming odds - the might and power of alien oppressors, and the mindless obedience of their Capped slaves. But as long as people remain free hope stays alive.

Sadly, this programme was axed before the final volume of the trilogy was dramatized, due to low ratings and the high cost of production. This was a disappointment because a good show was left with an "up in the air" kind of ending where nothing was resolved. If you wanted to know how it really ended you would have to read the book.

This TV series was based on a set of books for older children. Although the books were written for children, the series was scripted at a more adult level: still suitable for children but the characters' motivations were handled more subtly. In the story, society has returned to a neo-Medieval stage after a war that destroyed civilization. The world is now run by aliens who control all adults by brain implants called caps. They move around in large 3-legged machines. Three youths, about to be be capped, set off to find a fabled colony of uncapped adults in the French alps in order to retain their freedom. The story is about their quest. The script, direction and acting were all marvelous. The third and final season was cancelled by the BBC. This could have been one of the truly great classics in adventure film had it been completed; its cancellation was a literary tragedy.

In the late eighties, I saw The Tripods on WGBH in Boston, the Public TV station there. They broadcast parts one and two. The British production company never made the third and final part, so the story just ends unresolved. Never-the-less, it's a terrific adventure for young people based on a series of books. The production values and slower pacing may date it somewhat compared to later standards. Still, the characters are appealing. The special effects are convincing enough to make the Tripods ominous, and there's a surprisingly well sustained dramatic tension that keeps the episodes going. There's a good mix of studio and location photography. The series has now been issued on DVD in the U.S.

It's been a long time since I saw the first of the two installments of this "video series." At the moment, I'm re-reading the books for the third time - this time with my 9-year old daughter, who is riveted to the story.

Whether you track down these films or not, do yourself a favor and read the trilogy by John Christopher. Simply some of the finest sci-fi work ever written, IMHO.

When this show came on, I found it so interesting. The special effects were excellent and the story line well done and it flowed with ease.

When I went to the bookstore to buy the novel version, to my surprise they were in the children's section. So if anyone wants to get some good books for their children I would highly recommend them (it is trilogy). Also, try to get a copy of the TV series.